The Y-D Red Sox have arguably had the best starting rotation of the season, with Brady Hamilton helping lead the charge. The sophomore from Wichita State posted a 5.38 ERA in college this year, but his 4.67 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was well above average in the AAC.
Receiving the starting nod on July 4 against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, Hamilton allowed just three hits over five innings of work. He faced a tough Hyannis offense, which leads the CCBL with a .719 OPS and a .253 batting average, but managed to hold them to just three hits.
“Getting ahead was huge,” Hamilton said on Friday evening. “I was pounding the zone, the slider was landing for a strike, a lot, and I was able to get weak contact as well. [Just] letting my defense work behind me.”
The 6’2” right-hander features a low-to-mid-90s sinker, mixing in a slider and changeup as well. He often uses his slider as a putaway pitch, with its break and change in velocity playing well off the sinker. While walks were an issue in college, he’s lowered his walk rate by more than two batters per nine innings.
His ERA on the season is now an even 1.00, with a 0.94 WHIP that is one of the best among starting pitchers in the league.
“I think it’s the mentality of coming out of the gate more free,” Hamilton said when asked what he changed coming into this summer. “Knowing that I’m playing with some great guys behind me and trusting the defense, I’m not trying to do too much, but have some fun.”
Y-D’s pitching staff has posted a 1.24 WHIP this summer, second only to Harwich for the best mark in the CCBL. Their 2.94 ERA ranks just behind Hyannis, but their opponents' .213 batting average leads the league.
Red Wilson Field was packed with fans eager to watch this pitching staff face one of the Cape's top teams before heading off to their Fourth of July festivities. Both teams delivered, with the pitching duel yielding just three total runs.
“Playing in the Cape is awesome, you’re playing with and against the best players, so just try to have fun,” said Hamilton.
As fans headed to their Fourth of July barbecues after the game, the question of Hamilton’s favorite food for a July Fourth get-together had to be asked.
“I’m gonna take a sleeper and say homemade mac and cheese,” he said.
